, 84, of Chambersburg, passed away on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at his residence following a courageous battle with Lewy Body disease. Born March 25, 1934 in Chambersburg, he was the son of the late Wilbur and Thelma Hollenshead Franklin.

Gene was a 1952 graduate of the former Chambersburg High School. A US Army veteran, he served honorably during the Korean War. He completed his basic training with Elvis Presley at Ft. Hood, TX. He was a member of the Amvets Post 224 and the Marine Corps League, both in Chambersburg. Early in his life, Gene played minor league baseball for the Chicago Cubs organization. He began his career in retail management with Town & Country then continued with Westins, GeeBee, Value City and Dollar General. Following his retirement in 2008, Gene worked part-time for Walmart as a lawn and garden associate until his health severely declined. He was a lifelong fan of the Washington Redskins and Boston Red Sox and was an avid Golfer.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Betty J. Fink Franklin; three children, Anthony “Tony” Franklin (Karen) of Bluff City, TN; Bridget “Chrissy” Franklin (Matt) of St. Charles, MO, and Kelly Motzer (Alexandre) of Chambersburg; four grandchildren, Ryan Franklin, Mené Marshall, Jason Franklin and Josh Franklin; several great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and his grand dog, Abby.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 26, 2019 in the Chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA. Rev. Paul B. Baker will officiate. The family will receive friends from 4 – 8 PM on Friday and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Gene’s name to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc., 912 Killian Hill Road S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047.